Life in Portland

CHRISTMAS SHIPSDecember 2nd-18th | Willamette & Columbia RiversA Portland tradition since 1954, the Christmas Ship Fleet features 55 boats with brightly lit displays parading down the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Displays are designed and built by the boat owners, and many make an annual appearance. Each year thousands of Portland-Vancouver residents line the banks of both rivers to watch the parade.christmasships.org

WINTERVILLEDecember 8th-11th & 15th-18th | Zimmerman Heritage FarmThis brand new holiday festival at the historic Zimmerman Heritage Farmhouse is a fundraising event for the East County Historical Organization. The family-friendly event will feature performances by local high school choirs, a winter beer and cider garden, tours of the Zimmerman House, local food and craft vendors, a children’s craft area, and free photos with Santa for children.wintervillefestival.com

LA BELLEDecember 9th-January 8th | Imago TheaterLa Belle, Lost in the World of Automaton is Imago’s steampunk adaptation of the classic story Beauty and the Beast. The set is a giant ship — water wheels turn, giant stacks pump, and whistles chirp while automata are brought to life with clockwork mechanics. La Belle creates a visual playground, keeping the young ones engaged while taking adults on a breathtaking romantic journey.imagotheatre.com

THE MOTH IN PORTLANDDecember 12th, 7:30 PM | Arlene Schnitzer Concert HallAmerica’s beloved storytelling nonprofit is bringing a new lineup of storytellers to town. Moth shows are renowned for the great range of human experience they showcase. Each story is true and every voice is authentic, dancing between documentary and theater, and creating a unique, intimate, and often enlightening experience for the audience. The show features five stories by luminaries in the arts and sciences, including an astronaut, a voodoo priestess, and a retired NYPD detective.portland5.com